Weekly Finds #35 - January, 5th, 2024
Sharing some of the interesting things I've gathered over the course of the week.
📖 Read
Want To Drink Booze and Still Sleep Well? Experts Say There Is a Way
Alcohol and sleep are often considered uneasy bedfellows, with even moderate drinking proving detrimental to various bodily functions. Despite the initial sedative effects, alcohol disrupts physiological processes, especially when it comes to sleep. Self-medicating with alcohol for insomnia can lead to dependence and exacerbate sleep-related issues, reducing the quality and duration of crucial rapid-eye movement (REM) and deep sleep.
The timing of alcohol consumption is crucial for minimizing its negative impact on sleep. While day drinking allows for better metabolism before bedtime, nighttime consumption significantly disrupts sleep patterns. Experts advise moderation and a three- to four-hour gap between the last drink and bedtime for a more restful night. Abstaining from alcohol is considered the optimal choice, but if one chooses to drink, staying hydrated, consuming a balanced meal, and taking certain supplements may help counteract some of alcohol's adverse effects on sleep.
🙉 Overheard
– Mahmoud Darwish
👯♂️ Friends of Culture Curated
This week, we have a bonus post from Food Jungle, where our friend Gregory Zenin writes about what’s happening in the food industry. Be sure to subscribe and stay up to date on the latest in the good, bad, and ugly of this storied industry.
Say Hello to Scottish Wine
In the fight against food waste in Scotland, Two Raccoons is reusing overripe fruit to create a unique style of WINE.
Lasse and Elliot were two students who spent much time dumpster diving for food. To preserve some of the fruit that they found, they began fermenting it to make their very own wine.
6000 kilograms of fruit later, Lasse and Elliot have now created their own company - Two Raccoons - devoted to manufacturing wine with fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste.
What’s even better is that, due to the variety of overripe fruit that they receive, no batch of wine is EVER the same.
With the Scottish Government aiming to reduce overall food waste by 33% by 2025, Two Raccoons seems uniquely positioned to benefit. Food Jungle approved
🎧 Listen
A couple of items from this week’s Music Curated issue.
I mix it up here and share various music with my readers, so you’ll see something different each week. You may be into some of what I share, and you may not be into other things, and that’s okay. My goal is to share the things I enjoy and I hope to introduce my audience to something they might not have otherwise heard, and I hope some of it also resonates with you.
Song: Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year
“So this is the new year and I don’t feel any different.”
Ring in the new year with Death Cab for Cutie's soul-stirring anthem, "The New Year," from their 2003 album Transatlanticism. Benjamin Gibbard's poignant lyrics capture the complex emotions of fresh beginnings, deftly weaving a narrative around a fictional character demanding to be written about. The song's musical crescendo, a collaborative effort from the entire band, mirrors the explosive energy of a holiday celebration. At the same time, Gibbard's introspective vocals challenge the conventional idea of resolutions and the superficiality of New Year's festivities. It's not just a song; it's a contemplative journey through the nuances of hope, skepticism, and the perennial quest for a clean slate. Listen and let Death Cab For Cutie guide you through the honest reflections that the new year brings.
Playlist: Wine Bar
My partner and I had my brother and his partner over for NYE last night. I was looking for the perfect playlist to accompany the evening and festivities, not just your typical NYE playlist. I came across this Spotify playlist created for me by their AI and it was the perfect blend of music that I enjoy and was a great soundtrack for the evening. This one is going into my new rotation.
🔗 Random Finds
Less is more: The power of minimalist web design
Discover the roots of minimalism, an art movement originating in the 1960s, now evolving in the digital age to prioritize functionality and simplicity in user interfaces. Embracing a philosophy beyond aesthetics, minimalism faces challenges in balancing distinctive design with simplicity and adapting to a sustainable, tech-integrated future.
2023, in 7 minutes
🍲 🍹 Eat & Drink
Slow Cooked Lamb with White Wine and Potatoes
Elevate your cooking game with this delightful lamb dish. This recipe is all about time—slow-cooked for exquisite results. Keep it simple; the magic happens in the oven. Season generously with salt, trust the process and let the lamb work its flavorful wonders. Choose boneless or bone-in for an extra layer of drama and depth. Uncomplicate your culinary journey!
Tequila Daisy
Explore the allure of the Tequila Daisy. This classic cocktail, featuring the unexpected combination of lemon and tequila, served as Laura Maddox's gateway into bartending. At Small Victory, she fine-tunes the ratios while staying true to the drink's timeless charm. Venture beyond the Margarita territory and savor this refreshing twist.
🧒 Kiddos
My kids thought this was fascinating and wanted to share it with you all.
Jonathan, The World's Oldest Living Land Animal, Celebrates 191st Birthday!
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, recently celebrated his 191st birthday, making him the oldest living land animal and the oldest documented tortoise. Born around 1832, he has lived through many historical events and even predates inventions like the telephone and postage stamps. Jonathan, a local celebrity on the island of St. Helena, spends his days relaxing on the governor's mansion lawn, enjoying the sun, and feasting on fruits and vegetables. Despite his age, he shows no signs of slowing down and is in good health.
The tortoise's longevity has surpassed the average life expectancy for his species, which is 150 years. Even though he has lost his sense of smell and has cataracts causing virtual blindness, Jonathan's appetite remains strong. His veterinarian is hopeful that he might reach his third century, and he continues to be a beloved figure on the island.